Marlon Byrd is coming to Boston

With all the injuries and issues so far this season, the Boston Red Sox sent once promising pitcher Michael Bowden to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for outfielder Marlon Byrd. The trade comes after the Red Sox have lost All Star Jacoby Ellsbury and now backup Jason Repko to injuries. The 10 year vet was only 3-43 so far this season, but the Red Sox were in dire straights and acquired Byrd for his veteran bat and passable defense. For Chicago, they acquire a pitcher who was once projected as a possible #2 starter, someting the team is looking for.

 

Jason Varitek set to retire

Longtime Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek is set to retire tomorrow after 15 years in the Majors. When Varitek was named captain in 2004, he became only the 3rd player to be made captain since 1923. Acquired from the Seattle Mariners along with Derek Lowe in what is called one of the best trades in Red Sox history, Varitek would come up in 1997 and spent the rest of his career with the team. Varitek won two World Series rings, hit 193 Home Runs and played in 1546 games.

Theo Epstein leaving Red Sox; Chicago bound

 

Theo Epstein, the mastermind behind the Boston Red Sox two championship teams in 2004 and 2007 is Chicago bound according to sources. The contract is rumored to be a 5-year deal worth around $15 million. Having broke the curse in Boston, building a top flight minor league system and churning out All-Stars like nothing, winning 90+ games a year just wasn’t getting it done for the fans and Theo seems poised and ready to turn around the flailing Chicago Cubs. The Cubs couldn’t find a better man for the job in my opinion and I wish Epstein the best of luck with the Cubs and thank him for what he has done for my Red Sox.

 

Darren

Erik Bedard joins the Red Sox

 

At today’s trade deadline, the Boston Red Sox acquired left hander Erik Bedard from the Seattle Mariners in a three team deal. When healthy, Bedard is one of the most dominant pitchers in the MLB. A high strikeout pitcher, Bedard is going to be a solid back of the rotation guy for the American League East leading Red Sox down the stretch. In 2011 Bedard is 4-7 with a 3.45 ERA in 16 starts with Seattle. Bedard’s a risk, but one Theo Epstein and the Red Sox were willing to make.

 

Darren

Robinson Cano wins 2011 Home Run Derby

After smacking bomb after bomb, the New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano beat out the Boston Red Sox Adrian Gonzalez 12-11 in the final of the 2011 Home Run Derby. In total Cano hit 32 homers while his father and former Houston Astros pitcher Jose Cano pitching for him. It was a great event, and Cano put on one hell of a show. Congrats to Robbie Cano.

 

Darren

AL first half stars

With the All Star break just a couple days away, we’re going to take a look at the American League’s first half stars:

 

Coming into the season one of the biggest acquistions in the last decade was Adrian Gonzalez going to the Boston Red Sox and he was probably the most watched coming in. Well he has been better than advertised. Gonzalez is currently leading with a .355 avg and 77 RBI while hitting 17 home runs. Definately an MVP contendor, Gonzalez has great numbers in the first half and shows no signs of slowing down in the second half.

Joey Bautista a.k.a Joey Bats of the Toronto Blue Jays, has been better than last seasons 54 homer breakout. Joey Bats has smacked 29 home runs (Leading the Majors), hit .330 trailing only Gonzalez, and has an OPS of 1.150. Bautista is on a tear and has every pitcher worried about seeing him in the batters box. Bautista will continue to smash homers and be an MVP contendor at the end of the year.

 

 

Justin Verlander… What can be said about this guy? Verlander has been thorwing unhittable pitch after unhittable pitch all season long so far for the Detroit Tigers. Verlander has an 11-4 record, a 2.26 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 138 K’s and 4 complete games, including his second career no-hitter. In June alone, Verlander went 6-0 with a 0.92 ERA with a 54:6 K:BB ratio. Definately a Cy Young contendor, Verlander will more than likely continue to dominate the rest of the year and we’ll be talking about him in the MVP race.

 

These three were the biggest stars in the American League for the first half and all are going to continue captivating fans all over the world. Look for all three to be in the MVP race at season’s end.

 

Darren

Josh Beckett pitches another gem, Boston wins in 11

http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=310421103

Last night the Boston Red Sox ace Josh Beckett pitched another gem and is showing everyone that he is back. Beckett didn’t allow a hit until the 6th and his only mistake of the game came in the 7th when Torii Hunter hit a home run. Other than that Beckett, who is on fire this season, went eight innings, gave up three hits, two earned runs while striking out five. Although he didn’t get the win, the Red Sox won in the 11th over the Angels. In his four starts, Beckett has a 28:9 K:BB ratio, a 2-1 record, 1.93 ERA and 0.79 WHIP. Known as one of the best big game pitchers of all time, Beckett can be a serious Cy Young contendor if he can stay healthy, something that has troubled him in spurts during his career.

Darren

The photo used was created by DS Mastery. Follow him on twitter ( @DSBaby43) and on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000782003982#!/joseph.grigsby

Manny calls it a career

On Friday afternoon, Manny Ramirez called it a career, a week into the MLB season. One of the greatest hitters and colorful personalities the game has ever seen, called it quits after apparantly testing positive for PEDs once again and facing a 100 game suspension. Manny has had a rough time since his first issue back in 2009 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers. One thing that can’t be taken away is how amazing it was to watch Manny play over the course of his career but there is now a cloud over his career which is ashame seeing as how he had a sure fire Hall of Fame career. Former teammate and great friend David Ortiz said “It’s sad,man” and was visibly upset at the news. Manny will always be remembered in this game, but hopefully people remember him for the right things, his hitting abilites.

Darren

2011 AL Cy Young prediction

In 2011 there will be many contendors for the American League Cy Young Award. Reigning winner, Seattle’s Felix Hernandez, will definately be looking to go back to back along with guys like Justin Verlander, C.C Sabathia, David Price and the one man who I believe will reign supreme over them all… The Boston Red Sox lefty Jon Lester. Over the past three years, Lester has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the Major Leagues, posting a 50-23 record, 3.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and striking out 225 batters in back to back seasons. Lester is primed to take that next step from frontline pitcher to ace and in my opinion will win this years award.

 Lester keeps the ball in the park and racks up the punch outs all while winning big games for his squad. The main area of concern is Lester’s walk total from last year (83). This was a factor of Lester doind too much to ensure an out instead of just going for the out. Being a young pitcher that is something that will pop up in power pitchers but Lester has worked this offseason at being even more aggressive to hitters, a scary thought for guys standing in the batters box. It will hopefully be another great season for pitching but I believe Lester is the main man to watch as he is my pick for the award in 2011.

Darren

Damon and Manny to be teammates once again

When Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez were last teammates, it was 2005 and both were playing for the Boston Red Sox. Fast forward to 2011 and Damon and Ramirez will once again be teammates, only this time with the Tampa Bay Rays as they both agreed to 1-year deals. Damon spent last season with the Detroit Tigers, while Manny spent part of the season with the Dodgers and part with the White Sox. Having already won a ring together, they will bring valuable playoff experience to the young Rays, as well as years of knowledge and experience to boot. No longer will Damon be the .300 avg/30 SB guy, and Manny won’t be the Triple Crown contender the once was, but both of these 1-year deals were wise deals for the Rays to make and wise for the two players to take.

Darren